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 Unplanned Material Exchange

Purpose

An unplanned material exchange ( UME ) has the following scenarios:

  • Instead of returning the rework part that you sent to the subcontractor, the subcontractor returns a completely different rework part with a different serial number and a different material number (possibly in accordance with an agreement with you). The returned part is completely interchangeable with the one that was sent for repair and can be installed in the aircraft or engine. This type of UME is handled using subcontracting type Replacement .

  • Alternatively, the subcontractor changes a material within the original rework part and returns the updated part to you. This type of UME is handled using subcontracting type Refurbishment with Changed Material Number .

To distinguish between these different scenarios, on the dialog box listing the materials that are fully or restricted interchangeable with the one in the purchase order item, you can select the Material Change indicator for refurbishment with a changed material number. If the indicator remains initial, you carry out a replacement.

AUMEcan also take place for already exchanged items, across different FFF classes, or for materials that are not members of an FFF class. For more information, see the IMG activity documentation under Start of the navigation path Plant Maintenance and Customer Service Next navigation step Maintenance and Service Processing Next navigation step Subcontracting for MRO Processes Next navigation step Business Add-Ins Next navigation step CreateUMEInterchangeability Logic. End of the navigation path

Application Log

If you carry out UME and during update of the purchase order at least one error message or important warning occurs, an application log automatically appears. In the application log, you can see what led to the error or warning. If you close the application log, you can reopen it using the Application Log function in the toolbar. This function is only visible if errors or important warnings occur. Important warnings cover automatic distribution of serial numbers and consumables during UME .

Automatic Distribution

Automatic distribution in UME can take place for serial numbers and consumables:

  • Automatic distribution of serial numbers

    During UME , the system attempts to distribute the original serial numbers from the original purchase order item over the selected subitems in accordance with the quantity for each selected subitem. In some cases, the system may not be able to do this. A warning message appears in the Application Log asking you to check the distribution of the serial numbers. You can correct the automatic distribution of the serial numbers.

    Example Example

    In your original purchase order item, you have item A with quantity 5. In the UME , you select:

    • Subitem 1 for item B with quantity 3.

    • Subitem 2 for item C with quantity 1.

    The system distributes the first four serial numbers from the original purchase order item. The fifth serial number is not distributed. The system raises a warning and you check the automatic distribution.

    End of the example.

  • Automatic distribution of consumables

    During UME , the system attempts to proportionally distribute the consumables from the original purchase order item over the selected subitems from the UME . In some cases, the system rounds up or rounds down the quantities. This can lead to an inconsistent quantity of consumables. A warning message appears in the Application Log asking you to check the distribution of the consumables. You can correct the automatic distribution of the consumables.

    Example Example

    In your original purchase order item, you have part A with quantity 6 and consumables with quantity 7. In the UME , you select two subitems with quantities 2 and 3 respectively. The system distributes the consumables proportionally between these two subitems. The system distributes:

    • Quantity 2 to subitem 1

    • Quantity 4 to subitem 2.

    Due to rounding in the proportional distribution, one consumable is not distributed. The system raises a warning and you check and adjust the automatic distribution.

    End of the example.

Prerequisites

The material of the part to be repaired and the material of the part actually received must be fully or restricted interchangeable with each other.

Process Flow

  1. You remove the part to be repaired from the aircraft or engine and place it in stock, and you trigger the MRO subcontracting process .

    1. You have sent the rework part to the subcontractor with the possible consumables and expect to get the same part back in a serviceable condition with the same material and serial numbers (subcontracting type Refurbishment with Unchanged Material Number ).

    2. In the system, you have created the subcontract purchase order with subcontracting type Refurbishment with Unchanged Material Number , an outbound delivery, and a transfer posting.

  2. During the repair process, the subcontractor damaged the part or found that it could not be repaired. Instead of returning this part, the subcontractor returns a completely different part with a different serial number and a different material number (possibly in accordance with an agreement with you). The returned part is completely interchangeable with the one that was sent for repair.

  3. In the Subcontracting Monitor , you choose Material Exchange to trigger the material exchange for the selected purchase order item.

  4. The system displays a dialog box with a list of materials that are fully or restricted interchangeable with the one in the purchase order item.

  5. To select the material to substitute the original purchase order item material, you enter the quantity.

  6. To select the type of UME , you:

    • Set the Material Change indicator for a refurbishment with a changed material number.

    • Leave the Material Change indicator initial for a replacement.

  7. After confirming your selection, the system updates the purchase order item in the background using the BAPI_PO_CHANGE function.

  8. The system creates a subitem in the purchase order for the interchangeable material, using the existing manufacturer part number (MPN) functions.

    All data for the newly created subitem is copied from the main item. The old purchase order item becomes statistical and all further activities are performed only for the newly created subitem.

  9. After carrying out UME , you refresh the subcontracting monitor.

    The newly-created manufacturer part number (MPN) subitem appears in the tree and is used in the subsequent goods receipt posting.

    Note Note

    During the goods receipt posting, it is technically still possible to keep the old serial number and perform only the material modification, however this is very unlikely, since the subcontractor returns a completely new part with a new serial number.

    End of the note.